Shaw claims the Players' Player of the Year accolade

Luke Shaw has been named the Manchester United Players' Player of the Year for 2018/19.

The left-back has been a regular throughout the season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, with Paul Pogba the only outfield player to receive more starts.

Undoubtedly, the defender has been consistent across the campaign after scoring in the opening fixture against Leicester City - his first goal in senior football.

We can confirm that the England international claimed the Players' Player of the Year prize by earning just a single vote more than second-placed Victor Lindelof.

Romelu Lukaku was one of the colleagues who sang Luke's praises, telling reporters recently: “Luke Shaw has been the best player of the season, for me.

”He has been brilliant since the start. He scored in the first game of the season against Leicester City and he has never looked back.“

It is Shaw's first annual individual award since joining the Reds from Southampton in 2014, but it may not be his last with so many years still ahead of him.

Luke was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award just months before signing for United and is clearly very popular among his team-mates, who have admired his consistent form up and down the flank this campaign.

Fellow defender Lindelof narrowly missed out on the Players' Player award, but he has showed his promise at the heart of the backline.

WHAT LUKE SAID ON STAGE

Speaking to Dan Walker upon receiving the award, Shaw said: “It means a lot especially coming from the lads. They’ve always stuck by me when other people haven’t and they’ve always helped me along my rough journey, but it’s brilliant, and of course thanks to them all for voting.”

“Obviously this season hasn’t been the best,” he added, “but for me it’s been a better season than the last few personally, but of course I need to keep pushing on and see what happens next season.”

Luke also reiterated the need to work hard after being hampered with injuries in recent seasons. “That’s one of the main things you need to do here. You’ve probably heard the manager say that a lot of times. Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard enough. We know that saying well, but of course I worked hard to get back to where I want to be. I’ve still got more to come and hopefully that can continue.”

And what about next season? Luke was confident that the summer break will give the players time to refocus. “I think all the players are agreeing that we need to forget this season as quickly as possible. We’re all very disappointed with how it’s finished and with what’s going on around us in the Champions League, it’s hurting even more.

”But, this break will come at a good time and I think we need to refocus and come back stronger next year. With the players we have and the managing staff we have I’m sure we will.“

RECENT PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

2017/18: David De Gea
2016/17: Antonio Valencia
2015/16: Chris Smalling
2014/15: David De Gea
2013/14: David De Gea
2012/13: Michael Carrick
2011/12: Antonio Valencia
2010/11: Nani
2009/10: Wayne Rooney
2008/09: Nemanja Vidic